AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

PerthNow - Sep 17, 2026

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says a round 22 face-punching triggered the mirror-looking the Hawks needed to earn a preliminary final shot.

Read full article

More News

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Sep 17, 2026

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Trainer David Pfieffer wants to see Ice Kool back to his best at Randwick on Saturday before taking him to Melbourne for straight-track features this spring.

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Sep 17, 2026

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Chilly Girl was shaded in the Furious Stakes but the run has given co-trainer Sterling Alexiou confidence she can thrive up front over 1400m in the Tea Rose.

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Sep 17, 2026

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Coach Dean Cox could be forced into making two changes for Friday night’s clash with Fremantle - but either way, key forward Joel Amartey won’t be involved.

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sep 17, 2026

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sydney winger Justin McInerney and forward Joel Amartey are fit again, but coach Dean Cox will gamble on only one for their finals clash against Fremantle.

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Sep 17, 2026

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says a round 22 face-punching triggered the mirror-looking the Hawks needed to earn a preliminary final shot.

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

Sep 17, 2026

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

There’s an almost certain winner for this year’s count. But there’s a secondary question that is very much up in the air.

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Sep 17, 2026

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Toby Greene has informed the GWS Giants that he will depart the club at the season's end to pursue an opportunity with Geelong.

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Sep 17, 2026

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Thrashed by Brisbane last month, Hawthorn have surged into a home preliminary final and will be out to right some wrongs when they host the Lions at the MCG.

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Sep 17, 2026

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Lions coach Chris Fagan has torn up the form guide, insisting Brisbane’s dominant August win over Hawthorn counts for nothing.

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

Sep 17, 2026

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

The Raiders kick off their NRLW finals campaign on Friday night.

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

Sep 17, 2026

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

The 35-year-old Knights centre knew there was only one way to survive his battle with good mate Mitchell in the elimination final.

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

Sep 17, 2026

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has been given the green light to host the Olympic and Paralympic rowing events.

Sydney Swans make bold selection call for blockbuster preliminary final against Fremantle Dockers

Sep 17, 2026

Sydney Swans make bold selection call for blockbuster preliminary final against Fremantle Dockers

Sydney coach Dean Cox has confirmed which way the Swans will go at the selection table with a pair of big-name players - while another veteran is racing the clock to be passed fit.

Premiership coach rules himself out of Kangaroos job

Sep 17, 2026

Premiership coach rules himself out of Kangaroos job

The search for a new North Melbourne head coach to replace Alastair Clarkson continues with Adam Simpson ruling himself out of the running.

Veteran Matthew Wade makes decision on career

Sep 17, 2026

Veteran Matthew Wade makes decision on career

Big-hitting wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who played 225 games for Australia across three forms of cricket, has made a call on his career.

Depleted, doubted and written off, yet somehow the Swans are just one win from another grand final

Sep 17, 2026

Depleted, doubted and written off, yet somehow the Swans are just one win from another grand final

The Dockers and Swans dominated the 2026 season, but, for different reasons, both hit the wobbles late in their campaign. Friday night’s preliminary final will prove who recalibrated best.

Grass greener on the other side as Smith builds career-best team

Sep 17, 2026

Grass greener on the other side as Smith builds career-best team

Warwick Farm trainer Matt Smith is enjoying a career-best run and he has no doubt his investment in the Hunter has been a major factor in his success.

AFL footy boss Greg Swann in damage control after comment about fans not caring

Sep 17, 2026

AFL footy boss Greg Swann in damage control after comment about fans not caring

‘Stop pissing in the wind and telling us it’s raining.’

All clear for controversial Brisbane 2032 rowing venue

Sep 17, 2026

All clear for controversial Brisbane 2032 rowing venue

Olympic authorities have approved a river where crocodiles live as the Brisbane 2032 rowing host venue, ending months of debate and speculation.

The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

Sep 17, 2026

The special one: why Longmuir is on the cusp of history

Justin Longmuir's playing days ended at age 26, setting the platform for a coach who has confounded critics while reshaping Fremantle's quest for a maiden flag.

GWS captain finally makes big call on his future

Sep 16, 2026

GWS captain finally makes big call on his future

GWS skipper Toby Greene is leaving the Giants after 15 seasons at the club, electing to move back to Victoria for family reasons.

Toby Greene: GWS star confirmed to leave Giants, join Geelong

Sep 16, 2026

Toby Greene: GWS star confirmed to leave Giants, join Geelong

GWS captain Toby Greene has confirmed he wants out of the Giants, with the club's most-capped player and all-time leading goalkicker declaring he has his sights set on heading to Geelong.

Giant decision: Greene makes call to come back to Victoria

Sep 16, 2026

Giant decision: Greene makes call to come back to Victoria

Giants captain Toby Greene has decided to join Geelong, ending his 15-year career with the expansion club.

‘Those Swans players were gods to me’. The bond driving Gulden’s best football

Sep 16, 2026

‘Those Swans players were gods to me’. The bond driving Gulden’s best football

Errol Gulden says the enduring connections at the Swans continue to shape his football.

Aussie F1 race gets a shake up

Sep 16, 2026

Aussie F1 race gets a shake up

The 2027 Australian Grand Prix will be held on the first weekend of April, and will include a sprint race on the Saturday for the first time.

AC Milan humbled in Europa, Sunderland triumphant

Sep 16, 2026

AC Milan humbled in Europa, Sunderland triumphant

Benfica, debutants Sunderland and Olympique Lyonnais were among the winners in the first round of Europa League action.

Boos ring at Old Trafford as Man Utd crash out of Cup

Sep 16, 2026

Boos ring at Old Trafford as Man Utd crash out of Cup

Manchester United are out of the Carabao Cup, while Aston Villa and Everton have posted wins over Coventry and Wolves respectively to advance.

Football fixtures and results

Sep 16, 2026

Football fixtures and results

Catch up with all the week’s football fixtures and results here.

Djokovic tries to reboot in China after 11-year absence

Sep 16, 2026

Djokovic tries to reboot in China after 11-year absence

Serbian great Novak Djokovic will attempt to reboot his ailing season at the China Open after his shock first-round exit at the US Open.

Volkanovski trains with rising UFC star

Sep 16, 2026

Volkanovski trains with rising UFC star

Alexander Volkanovski trains alongside Brazilian lightweight Mauricio Ruffy ahead of UFC 331.

Aussie GP loses season-launch honour, gains sprint race

Sep 16, 2026

Aussie GP loses season-launch honour, gains sprint race

The Australian Grand Prix won't open the 2027 F1 season as it did this year -- but it will be bigger than ever as it stages its first sprint race.

Last year, I was scathing about my own club. But this dressing room photo sums up Knights revival

Sep 16, 2026

Last year, I was scathing about my own club. But this dressing room photo sums up Knights revival

Twelve months ago, I was writing cranky columns about two decades of systemic failure at Newcastle, but I think this resurgence is built to last.

How the Tassie effect will make the 2027 free-agency market explode and compromise the draft

Sep 16, 2026

How the Tassie effect will make the 2027 free-agency market explode and compromise the draft

Clubs are bracing themselves for first-round selections coming as late as the early 30s in the 2027 national draft after the Devils, free-agency compensation, and academy and father-son bids are factored in.

Promotion-chasing Kent on the verge of victory

Sep 16, 2026

Promotion-chasing Kent on the verge of victory

Kent are closing in on victory in their Rothesay County Championship clash with Lancashire at Canterbury.

Whitford Amateur Football Club breaks 23-year premiership drought and launches into A-grade

Sep 16, 2026

Whitford Amateur Football Club breaks 23-year premiership drought and launches into A-grade

A 23-year premiership drought was broken at Arena Joondalup last Saturday, as Whitford Amateur Football Club won their first senior men’s premiership since 2003.

Wanneroo Amateur Football Club celebrate redemption season after last year’s relegation

Sep 16, 2026

Wanneroo Amateur Football Club celebrate redemption season after last year’s relegation

After facing relegation in 2025, Wanneroo Amateur Football Club have bounced back with four grand final stints and a victorious return to B-grade.

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving club gets $300,000 upgrades in time for beach season

Sep 16, 2026

Trigg Island Surf Life Saving club gets $300,000 upgrades in time for beach season

The Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club has had $300,000 worth of upgrades just in time for the peak beach season at one of the most in-demand beaches in the State.

Peppermint Grove Tennis Club seeking liquor licence from local shire to improve social events

Sep 16, 2026

Peppermint Grove Tennis Club seeking liquor licence from local shire to improve social events

An affluent Perth tennis club could soon start selling alcohol to provide a better social experience for club members and make more money

WA golf community above par with female participation as local clubs launch first women programs

Sep 16, 2026

WA golf community above par with female participation as local clubs launch first women programs

New data reveals WA is leading the country in women’s golf participation, as more inclusive programs are launched by local clubs.

Postecoglou defends Ronaldo amid Saudi grilling

Sep 16, 2026

Postecoglou defends Ronaldo amid Saudi grilling

Australia's top soccer coach Ange Postecoglou has jumped to Cristiano Ronaldo's defence after the worst defeat of the Portuguese great's Saudi spell.

Recommended